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December26, 2016

5 Suggestions to Stay Relevant in 2017

2016 is coming to an end, and before we know it 2017 will be here, new and shiny. But what does the new year mean for your business? For some, it can be difficult to keep up with the new trends and stay current on consumers’ minds. For others, the new year means new opportunities, new products and new growth.

What do you plan to do to keep up with the trends of 2017? If you’re feeling unsure, check out these five suggestions for your business to stay relevant in the new year.

1. Take your SEO to the next level.
2017 is sure to be the year of search engine optimization. Recently, Google has updated their search engine algorithms to focus more heavily on responsive websites and sites which are heavily optimized for search engine rankings.

If your business wants to stay up-to-date and current with consumers in 2017, focus your efforts on being search engine friendly. Potential customers will then be able to find you and easily engage with your business.

2. Get in on the video frenzy.
According to a recent Forbes study, 80% of executives said they were watching more online video today than they were a year ago. Sixty-five percent said they have even visited a vendor’s website directly after watching one of their videos.

With the coming updates of technology, experts expect 2017 to explode as the year of the video. Make sure your business is in on the action by using video media to market, inform and promote your products or services.

3. Focus on intersectionality.
If 2016 could be summed up in one word, it would probably be diversity—lack thereof and promotion for. With 2017 just around the corner, diversity and how different issues intersect in the workplace is only going to continue to grow.

Your business can use this new year as an opportunity to focus its efforts on current issues related to class, race, sexism, ableism, heterosexism, xenophobia and transphobia, and what impact your product or brand has on this community intersectionality.

4. Garner sustainable practices.
Climate impact has been a huge topic of conversation for businesses in 2016, and chances are it’s not going away anytime soon in 2017. Your company can stay on the forefront of consumers’ minds by investing now in sustainable practices for your business.

Promote your brand as a force for good in the world, and give employees and customers something to look forward to and rally around. When it comes to making a difference, even the smallest changes can help your business get closer to a net-zero environmental impact.

5. Be more flexible.
The relationship in the United States between work and home life is changing rapidly, as the line between the two begins to blur. The average 9-5 work day has started to become a thing of the past, as more and more employees create careers of their own design—through freelancing, job sharing or double gigs.

For your business, this means recognizing the upcoming workplace changes and being flexible in how you treat both employees and customers. Consider letting employees build their work to fit their home lives; understand that customers may not always be working the average 9-5. In 2017, flexibility means frugality for your business.

Keep your company current for the upcoming year by taking advantage of these five suggestions. Because when your business is relevant in 2017, your business will grow in 2017.